Читать книгу History of Fresno County, Vol. 6 - Paul E. Vandor - Страница 40

Prominent among those identified with the agricultural development of California is Joseph L. Prather. He was born near Greensboro, N. C, on July 18, 1833, the son of Rev. Robert R. Prather, a planter, and a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Joseph's great-grandfather was born in England and crossed the ocean to North Carolina, where he became a planter. When the Civil War broke out, he served in the Confederate Army, defending the principles he believed to be right: in 1862, he was married to Miss Mary Hedrick, who was born near Lexington, N. C, in 1846, and was the daughter of Joseph Hedrick, a North Carolinian planter, whose father fought in the Revolutionary War. In the fall of 1865 Joseph Prather brought his family to Missouri, and in 1867 he took up his residence near Waco, Texas, where he was a farmer.

In June, 1872, the Prathers removed to California and Mr. Prather located a claim in the Mussel Slough country near Grangeville and also bought some railroad land. He helped build the canal and ditches, and gave an effective hand to opening up the country. However, he was fortunate in selling out before the Mussel Slough troubles, after which he removed to Wild Flower in Fresno County. It was the time of the building of the emigrant ditch, and he speedily located a claim and improved it, selling out at the end of eight years. He removed to Orange County, and commenced to farm and raise stock near Santa Ana; but eighteen months later he returned to Fresno County.

Then he located on 160 acres of railroad land thirteen miles south of Fresno that he had purchased, farmed and set out a vineyard; but the dry year and low prices of 1893 caused such heavy losses that he had to sacrifice his place. Since then he and his wife live retired, making their home with their sons on the ranch near Prather Post Office in Auberry Valley, which beautiful region takes its name from this pioneer family. Mr. Prather is now eighty-five years old, while his wife is seventy-two years of age, the mother of eleven children, nine of whom have grown to maturity: Joseph Everette Prather, with his brother Fred, owns the Prather ranch in Auberry Valley, but he is employed as a driller in the oil fields. John N. runs the Prather Brothers Lodge ranch. Bessie is Mrs. Trautwein of Fresno. Birdie died at the age of twenty. Allie is Mrs. Webb of Oakland; Richard is a blacksmith in Waco; Robert resides in Fresno; Lonnie is Mrs. Chas. E., of Albuquerque, N. M.; Fred is in the aviation section of the United States Signal Corps. Joseph E. and Fred Prather came to Auberry Valley about seven years ago, and bought this ranch, and two years later they began their improvements. They were joined by their brother, John N., who now runs the place. The latter from a lad was brought up to understand viticulture; and he also spent some time in the oil fields and at McKittrick, where he became a stationary engineer. All the five brothers are good mechanics, two of them having specialized in the steam engine, and three with the gas engine.

The Prather Brothers ranch comprises 440 acres in Auberry Valley, is well improved with two bungalows and other farm buildings, and is known as the "Lodge." It is watered by the Big Sandy, and the post office is located on the ranch. There fruit culture and general farming are carried on. There is a fine commercial apple orchard of forty-five acres, and the boys are setting out other varieties. The family attend the Methodist Church South, and are factors in the social and religious development of the neighborhood.